Chen Long defeats Lin Dan to win Badminton Asia Championships

Wuhan: Reigning Olympic gold medalist and No. 2 seed Chen Long beat the four-time Badminton Asia Championships winner Lin Dan in the men’s singles final to win his first Badminton Asia Championship title on Sunday.

The All-Chinese men’s singles final started with a neck-and-neck first set, with Lin Dan saving two set points to take the first game 23-21.

However, Lin Dan showed clear signs of fatigue towards the second and the third set and fell at the hands of Chen 11-21, 10-21 easily.

Chen who won three silver and three bronze medals at the previous editions of Badminton Asia Championships, expressed relief in winning the tournament.

“This is my seventh Asia Championships and I’m happy that I eventually won the gold medal. It’s not easy,” said Chen.

Lin admitted he lost focus and made a lot of errors in the last two sets.

“Overall, I am happy with my performance this week,” said Lin.

In women’s singles, World No. 1 women’s singles player Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan won her sixth straight World Super Series title by beating Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 18-21, 21-11, 21-18 in three sets. Tai also become the first Taiwanese to win a title at the Asian tournament since it was launched in 1962.

The reigning All England mixed doubles champions Lu Kai/Huang Yaqiong overcame an early 0-6 first set deficit to beat Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 21-18, 21-11, keeping the mixed doubles title at home.

The women’s doubles final saw Japan’s World No.1 pair Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi put on a dominant display to beat Kim Hye Rin/Yoo Hae Won of South Korea 21-19, 16-21, 21-10 for the women’s doubles crown.